First week of leave I've had for a long time, and I've been so busy catching up with sleep, paperwork, and household chores, that I haven't been online a lot.We are planning a week away at Ty Cariad, but first I have a whole week to spend in the studio. Here are some scanned leaves, some photographed leaves, and some embroidered leaves............until I get to post the fruits of my leave.

I made this collar last autumn, shortly after starting the textile course I was taking in Bristol. Although I've made felt several times before, this was my first attempt at free-motion embroidery.

I have started beading a couple of felted acorns to make a clasp with. I may even get to wear it before this autumn has ended.

What a relief!After weeks of agonising over framing, and doing battle with wood to make frames with inadequate tools (my toolkit is at Ty Cariad) I finally dropped off my work for the Made in Roath arts festival 2010 to The Gate yesterday. Thankfully the first thing one of the curators did was admire the two frames I'd made, and ask where I'd got them done; phew! (Just ignore the smell of paint and don't look at the back of them!)

I went to take my cards along today, and I have to say that from my brief sneak preview, it's looking vibrant and the quality of the work is really high (and that's only one little part of the bigger picture). The programme looks really interesting and it's going to keep me very busy getting round to seeing enough of it over the weekend. There are just far too many exhibitions, events and workshops to see and do it all, so I will have to be judicious. Our friend Judith is visiting from Somerset, so I shall be judicious with Judith!

Just a few offerings for the nature table. These glorious blue pods (decaisnea fargesii) are also rather gruesomely known as 'dead man's fingers'. The plant is of chinese origin and grows well in the UK. It's a tall and graceful addition at the back of a border, and other plants will grow underneath it as the foliage is sparse and open. I scooped out the slimey caterpillar-like line of seeds (the slime is edible, though rather bland). I then flattened the pods out on fabric and they have left a green poddy outline. I just need to find out if the image will stay after a launder now. If anyone wants some seeds, leave your address on the contact page and I will post some to you.

I had three long night shifts this weekend, and awoke in the middle of it, Saturday afternoon; bleary-eyed and feeling grim. Two parcels were awaiting me and I put the coffee on while I opened the first; a package from Ario of vanishing muslin, acrylic fabric painting medium, and lots of lovely Markal oil sticks. I sat sipping coffee whilst I opened the second parcel. It was wrapped in pink tissue and a heavenly lavender scent. It was a gift from an artist I much admire! Carolyn Saxby who lives in St. Ives.

Carolyn also plays with plant dyes, and these are swatches of silks, velvets and cottons in glorious shades of yellow from Crocosmia and Onion skins. What a fabulous bunch of goodies to play with!

This lovely heart is like a remnant of summer, smelling sweetly of lavender. I have a palette of shades of gold in my bedroom, an attempt to infuse my waking self with sunshine. This will look great hanging from my old brass bedstead.

And Carolyn's thoughtful gesture cheered me up and really put a spring in my step!

I also gave a gift this week to baby Rudi, who is my friends Jo and Chris' lovely new little man. It was inspired by Jude Hill's feathers which you can see in amongst her glorious cloth work on her blog Spirit Cloth.